Saint Hildegard von Bingen

Category: Germany

What Are the Three Most Important Experiences for a Pilgrim on Their Sacred Pilgrimage?
It’s important to note that the significance of these experiences can vary depending on the individual and their motivations for undertaking the pilgrimage. Here are three commonly valued experiences that many pilgrims find significant during a pilgrimage:

1. Spiritual Connection and Reflection Pilgrimage

Hands-on pilgrimage at the Hildegard Shrine Church

For many pilgrims, the primary purpose of a pilgrimage is to foster a deep spiritual connection. This experience often involves moments of reflection, prayer, meditation, or seeking a sense of transcendence.

2. Personal Transformation and Growth

Pilgrimages are often seen as journeys that can change a person in a deep way. The pilgrimage can be physically challenging, and the pilgrim gets to experience new places and cultures. The journey makes the pilgrim think about their own life and who they are, and this can make them more aware of themselves.

Pilgrimage inside the Saint Hildegard Benedictine Abbey in Bingen, Germany

3. Cultural and Historical Immersion Pilgrimage

Pilgrimages often give you the chance to visit culturally and historically important places. Talking to local people, observing traditional activities, and discovering historical facts can make your pilgrimage more meaningful.

Pilgrims on the Hildegard Path at Feast Day

It’s important to note that the significance of these experiences can vary depending on the individual and their motivations for undertaking the pilgrimage. Some may prioritize spiritual connection above all else, while others may focus more on the cultural and historical aspects. The three experiences mentioned above are common threads that many pilgrims find meaningful, but the personal significance can differ for each individual.

Based on a YouTube Channel Community Survey asking “what is the most significant valued experience that you, as a pilgrim, find during your journey?” The answer is more pilgrims prefer spiritual connection and reflection over cultural and historical immersion, second only to personal transformation and growth.

The Hildegard Way: A Journey of Spiritual Connection, Personal Transformation and Cultural Immersion

The Hildegard Pilgrimage is a spiritual journey that follows the footsteps of Hildegard von Bingen, a prominent medieval mystic, composer, writer, and visionary. It is inspired by her life, teachings, and profound spiritual insights. The pilgrimage route typically starts in the town of Idar-Oberstein in Germany and leads past the medieval abbey of Disibodenberg, where Hildegard began her religious life as a nun, and ends at the current Benedictine Abbey of St. Hildegard in Bingen.

The Hildegard Way covers approximately 136 kilometers (85 miles) through the beautiful landscapes of the Rhineland-Palatinate region in Germany. Along the route, pilgrims pass through picturesque villages, rolling hills, vineyards, and dense forests, immersing themselves in the natural beauty that inspired Hildegard von Bingen.

Learn from the 59 tableaus along the Hildegard Way

The pilgrimage offers a unique opportunity for participants to connect with Hildegard’s spiritual legacy. Along the way, there are several significant sites associated with her life, including churches, monastic ruins, and historical landmarks. These locations often serve as places for reflection, prayer, and contemplation, inviting pilgrims to delve deeper into Hildegard’s teachings and philosophy.

Pilgrims at the shrine church

The Hildegard Way pilgrimage is not only a physical journey but also a spiritual quest. Pilgrims have the opportunity to engage in spiritual practices, attend prayer services, and participate in guided reflections focused on Hildegard’s spirituality. The pilgrimage encourages personal introspection, seeking a deeper understanding of oneself, and connecting with the divine.

Throughout the journey, pilgrims may experience a sense of kinship with other participants, sharing stories, insights, and a common purpose. The pilgrimage fosters a sense of community and offers opportunities for companionship and support along the way.

To encourage you to “walk with a saint,” read these texts out loud, hearing how Hildegard might have sounded, as you take your own pilgrimage along the Hildegard Way. We suggest doing this on the first nine stages of the Hildegard Way at the very spots which are marked by photos ahead of the nine chapters.

Holistic pilgrimage experience

The Hildegard Way pilgrimage is a meaningful and transformative experience for those seeking a spiritual connection, inspiration from Hildegard’s teachings, and a chance to embark on a journey of personal growth and self-discovery. It combines the elements of physical movement, natural beauty, historical significance, and spiritual exploration, creating a holistic pilgrimage experience.

An Abbey with a View

To learn more about the Hildegard Way pilgrimage, you can follow these steps:
1. Research Online: Start by conducting an online search using keywords like “Hildegard Way” or “Hildegard pilgrimage.” This will provide you with a wealth of information, including websites, articles, travel blogs, and forums dedicated to the pilgrimage. Explore these resources to gather details about the route, historical sites, experiences of past pilgrims, and any organized events or groups associated with the pilgrimage.
2. Guidebooks and Literature: Look for guidebooks or books specifically written about the Hildegard Way pilgrimage. These resources often provide comprehensive information about the route, historical context, points of interest, maps, and suggested itineraries. Some books may also delve into Hildegard’s life, teachings, and spiritual insights, enriching your understanding of the pilgrimage.
3. Contact Pilgrimage Organizations: Reach out to pilgrimage organizations, church groups or associations that may offer support and information about the Hildegard Way.
4. Local Tourist Information Centers: Contact local tourist information centers or visitor bureaus in the region where the Hildegard Way is located. They can provide you with up-to-date information, maps, and resources about the pilgrimage. They may also be able to assist with logistical aspects, such as transportation, accommodation, and local attractions in the area.
5. Connect with Pilgrimage Communities: Look for online forums, social media groups, or communities dedicated to pilgrimage and spiritual journeys. Engaging with fellow pilgrims who have undertaken the Hildegard Way can provide valuable insights, tips, and personal experiences. They may share photos, stories, and recommendations that can enhance your understanding of the pilgrimage.
6. Attend Pilgrimage Events or Workshops: Keep an eye out for any pilgrimage-related events, movies, workshops, or lectures that focus on the Hildegard Way. For example, virtual pilgrimages often bring together experts, historians, and experienced pilgrims who can share their knowledge and provide a deeper understanding of the pilgrimage.
YouTube Video about the Pilgrimage with Saint Hildegard

Remember to cross-reference information from multiple sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. By combining online research, printed resources, personal connections, and engagement with pilgrimage communities, you can gather a wealth of information about the Hildegard Way pilgrimage and prepare yourself for this transformative journey.
July 7, 2023
Bloodletting?
Why bloodletting?

According to Hildegard von Bingen, every adult should have bloodletting performed regularly and as a preventive measure for general cleaning. Because harmful waste products (“black bile and bad juices”) often lead to a wide variety of acute or chronic diseases. As part of a comprehensive therapy, bloodletting can even be carried out every two months.

Bloodletting: Causae et Curae

In her book “Causae et Curae” – “About the causes and treatment of the diseases” she left us a wealth of information on this important “aderlass” cleaning and therapeutic process.

This is how she writes:

“When the vessels of a human being are filled with blood, they must be cleaned by an incision of the harmful mucus and putrefactive substances supplied by digestion.”

Blood-letting or “saignée” effectively lowers blood pressure. However, not only volume and harmful substances are removed from the body, but the blood formation also stimulates the metabolism with hormone regulation, inflammation inhibition and pain reduction.

Would you take the cure?

Medieval Bloodletting

Bloodletting was a Medieval practice that involved intentionally drawing blood from a patient’s body in order to restore what was believed to be a balance of bodily humors and treat various ailments. It was based on the ancient Greek concept of humoral theory, which proposed that the human body was governed by four main humors—blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile—and imbalances among these humors were thought to cause illnesses.

Here are the general steps involved in the practice of medieval bloodletting:
1. Diagnosis: Physicians or healers would examine the patient’s symptoms, often taking into account factors such as the patient’s overall health, appearance, and the nature of their complaints. Based on these observations, they would determine which humor was believed to be in excess and causing the illness.
2. Choice of Method: Bloodletting could be performed using various methods, each targeting different parts of the body. The choice of method depended on the patient’s condition and the specific humor believed to be imbalanced.
3. Selection of Tools: Bloodletting required specific tools. Common instruments included lancets, which were small, sharp blades, and cupping vessels made of materials like glass or horn. The choice of instrument also depended on the method chosen.
4. Preparation of the Patient: Before the procedure, patients might be advised to prepare by fasting, avoiding certain foods, or undergoing other rituals. This was thought to help enhance the effectiveness of bloodletting.
5. Site Selection: Depending on the illness and the humor believed to be imbalanced, a suitable site for bloodletting was selected. Common sites included veins in the arms, legs, and neck, but sometimes more specific locations were chosen based on the humoral theory.
6. Incision or Cupping: If bloodletting involved making an incision, the physician would use a lancet to puncture the chosen vein. Alternatively, in cupping, a cupping vessel was placed on the skin, and a vacuum was created inside it, drawing blood to the surface of the skin through suction.
7. Blood Removal: Once the vein was punctured or blood was drawn to the surface, the blood was allowed to flow into a container or onto the ground. The amount of blood taken was often carefully measured and controlled based on the patient’s condition and the healer’s judgment.
8. Monitoring and Aftercare: After the blood was drawn, the patient’s condition was observed. The healing process was believed to begin as the body worked to restore the balance of humors. Patients were usually advised to rest, and sometimes herbal remedies were prescribed to aid in the recovery.
9. Repeat Procedures: In some cases, bloodletting was performed multiple times over a period of days or weeks. The frequency and volume of bloodletting sessions varied depending on the illness and the beliefs of the healer.
It’s important to note that while bloodletting was a widely practiced medical treatment during the medieval period, it is now considered a harmful and ineffective practice by modern medical standards. The development of modern medical knowledge and understanding of human physiology has led to the abandonment of bloodletting in favor of evidence-based medical practices.

Learn more: http://naturheilpraxis-vorgebirge.de/aderlass/
December 8, 2022
Saint Hildegard Virtual Pilgrimage 2021

Offering a virtual pilgrimage again in September for Saint Hildegard, both live and pre-recorded. Besides the 12-days of recordings, there are live 2-days of virtual events over Saint Hildegard’s Feast Day, September 17 & 18, 2021.

(BOULDER, CO August 2021) For a second year in a row, Michael Conti Productions presents “Saint Hildegard Virtual Pilgrimage 2021” beginning on Monday, Sept 6 at Noon EST and concluding the day after Saint Hildegard’s Feast Day on Sept 18, 2021.

For twelve days, you’ll experience videos with contemplative spiritual direction from an American follower of Hildegard; new videos that are elegant and divinely inspired from “Saint Hildegard Speaks” stations along the Hildegard Way in Germany; academic and theological short talks on themes in Hildegard’s life.

The 2-days of Virtual Feast Day Events runs September 17 -18, 2021. It starts on September 17th at 1 PM EST, with the ringing of the bells from the Hildegard Haus in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, followed by a sermon by Rev. Dr. Shanon Sterringer. Rev. Dr. Matthew Fox who is the author of Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen, Hildegard’s Book of Divine Works with Letters and Songs, Hildegard of Bingen, a Saint for Our Times: Unleashing Her Power in the 21st Century, will share some thoughts with us on the theme of this year’s offering: spirituality and creativity as seen through Hildegard’s natural medicine, art, writing and music.

Other scheduled presenters are American writer Mary Sharratt (Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen), founder Dr. Annette Esser (Scivias Institute), children’s author Joyce Ray (Feathers & Trumpets), actor, playwright, composer and singer Grace McLean (In the Green), executive director Karen Cassidy (Hildegard House), writer David M. Dupuis (The Seven Keys of Hildegard), playwright Sarah Riehm (Living Hildegard), spiritual life coach Carl Johann Schroeder, medieval researcher Lauren Cole, artistic director Thomas Edward Morgan (Ars Nova Singers), composer Dr. Chris Piorkowski (The Unruly Mystic Series), singer Susan Lincoln (Singing in the Hildegarden), The Rev. Mary Reaman, and renowned herbalists Brigitte Mars and Kathi Keville (American Herb Association), etc.

This ecumenical online pilgrimage has been created by pilgrim-filmmaker Michael M. Conti, with special contribution from Dr. Annette Esser, Director of the Scivias Institute and author of “Pilgerbuch: Hildegard von Bingen Pilgerwanderweg”. The pilgrimage was filmed during summer 2019 in Nahe district near Frankfurt, Germany.

The 85 mile (137 km) “Hildegard Way” is a trail through the Nahe river region in Rhineland-Palantinate in Germany. The idea for it is an inspiration from Dr. Annette Esser, the founder of Scivias Institute for Art and Spirituality. Dr. Esser speaks in character as “Hildegard” at 10 stations along the Hildegard Way and gives a small glimpse into the many teachings of Saint Hildegard.

Saint Hildegard of Bingen was a 12th-century German Benedictine abbess who founded 2 monastic communities in the Rhineland-Palantine region of Germany and was a polymath active in theology, music, art, medicine, and healing, and philosophy. One of the most influential women in European history, Hildegard is noted as a Christian mystic and prophet and considered to be the founder of scientific natural history in Germany. She was formally cannoned by the Vatican in 2012 and is only one of 4 women who have been made a Doctor of the Church.

Michael Conti Productions:

Michael M. Conti, the creator behind The Unruly Mystic: Saint Hildegard, journeyed on Hildegard Way as a pilgrim-filmmaker and is sharing these offerings to you.

Offering a virtual pilgrimage again in September for Saint Hildegard, both live and pre-recorded. Besides the 12-days of recordings, there are live 2-days of virtual events over Saint Hildegard’s Feast Day, September 17 & 18, 2021.

August 30, 2021
Saint Hildegard Speaks Press Release

“Saint Hildegard Speaks” a virtual contemplative pilgrimage and short talk series through the land of Hildegard premieres September 6, 2020

Press Release (BOULDER, CO August 2020) Michael Conti Productions presents “Saint Hildegard Speaks” beginning on Sunday, Sept 6 at Noon EST and concluding on Saint Hildegard’s Feast Day on Sept 17, 2020.

For twelve days, you’ll experience online: contemplative spiritual direction from an American follower of Hildegard; new videos that are elegant and divinely inspired from “Saint Hildegard Speaks” stations along the Hildegard Way in Germany; academic and theological short talks on themes in Hildegard’s life.

This ecumenical online pilgrimage has been created by pilgrim-filmmaker Michael M. Conti, with special contribution from Dr. Annette Esser, Director of the Scivias Institute and author of “Pilgerbuch: Hildegard von Bingen Pilgerwanderweg”. The pilgrimage was filmed during summer 2019 in Nahe district near Frankfurt, Germany.

The 85 mile (137 km) “Hildegard Way” is a trail through the Nahe river region in Rhineland-Palantinate in Germany. The idea for it is an inspiration from Dr. Annette Esser, the founder of Scivias Institute for Art and Spirituality. Dr. Esser speaks in character as “Hildegard” at 10 stations along the Hildegard Way and gives a small glimpse into the many teachings of Saint Hildegard.

The Reverend Doctor Shanon Sterringer will open each daily session at Noon EDT with a ringing of the church bells from the Hildegard Haus, an American Hildegard community in Ohio. Revd Dr. Sterringer will provide spiritual direction and insight to that day’s video and short talk.

After each Hildegard Way station video, an inspiring short talk on different themes of Hildegard’s life and theology will be given by international Hildegard scholars and theologians, curated by Dr. Beverly Kienzle, recently retired from Harvard Divinity School.

The virtual pilgrimage will conclude on Saint Hildegard’s Feast Day on Sept 17, with a special presentation by Revd Dr. Matthew Fox.

The entire series will be presented on Zoom. Complete details and early bird registration information can be found at SaintHildegard.com.

Who was the remarkable Hildegard of Bingen (1098 – 17 September 1179)? A Benedictine nun, she founded two women’s monastic communities, wrote visionary treatises and multiple theological works, designed illustrations, interpreted the Bible, composed liturgical songs, and developed works on natural science and medicine. Educated in the monastery and instructed though visions, Hildegard reached a level of literary and artistic production that was achieved by few men in the Middle Ages. She was named a Doctor of the Church in 2012.

Hildegard was the only medieval woman who systematically interpreted the Gospels; that is, she explained the multiple meanings of biblical texts methodically and theologically. She achieved a rich, creative, and coherent presentation of Christian theology, from the origins of the world and humankind to the afterlife. She affirmed repeatedly that divine visions taught her the deepest meaning of the Scriptures,

Viriditas, or greenness, a unifying capacity of nature, lies at the core of Hildegard’s natural science, medicine, cosmology, and theology. The life-giving power of the Holy Spirit offers hope, refreshment, and faith in God’s creation, even when human perversion destroys it. For Hildegard, the lives and spirits of all creatures are interdependent—a crucial lesson for a world suffering from a pandemic and the destruction of natural life. Her belief in the interconnectedness of all living beings influences the international movements for integrative medicine and for environmental protection. Hildegard’s influence on healing, creation theology, and women’s leadership continues today, as evidenced by the spiritual pilgrimage to her homeland, so beautifully presented in the videos that follow.

The Hildegard Way (“Hildegardweg”) was established with the support from the EU in 2013 and is a 137 km pilgrimage trail through the Nahe river region in Germany. The trail begins in Ida-Oberstein, leading past the monastery ruins of Disibodenburg and Hildegard’s Rupertsburg Abbey, concluding at the Abbey of Saint Hildegard in Eibingen. 59 information tableaux, designed and written by Dr. Annette Esser, are at stations along the trail, detailing some of the teachings, philosophies, theology of Hildegard, and feature visionary artwork from Hildegard’s book “Liber Scivas.”

Michael Conti Productions:

About Crazy Wisdom Films (CWF): Every generation when finding its own voice also rediscovers the teachers, mystics, geniuses, misfits, rebels, troublemakers from the past. Films in the series to date include “The Unruly Mystic™: Saint Hildegard” and “The Unruly Mystic: John Muir”.

Press Release

September 6, 2020
Journal Entry from Hildegard Feast Day

A room with a view of the abbey’s vineyard

Feast Day for Hildegard von Bingen

On September 17th, I am in Germany to attend the Feast day for Hildegard of Bingen. This experience profoundly altered my perception of Saint Hildegard’s significance to German Catholics. Prior to this event, I had only known her as a historical figure, a medieval mystic, and a celebrated composer, but witnessing the devotion of the people during the procession breathed new life into her legacy.

Walking behind her figurative presence through the bustling streets, with her golden relic leading the way, was an experience that resonated with a deep sense of honor. It was as though I was walking in the footsteps of history, joining a centuries-old tradition that had endured through the ages. The relic, gleaming in the sunlight, served as a tangible link to Saint Hildegard’s spiritual influence and enduring impact on the faithful.

Yet, what struck me most was the communal aspect of the event. As I moved alongside the crowd, I felt a profound sense of unity and shared purpose. It was no longer just about filming or documenting; I became a participant in a collective expression of faith and reverence. In those moments, I was reminded that Saint Hildegard’s legacy was not merely confined to the pages of history or the confines of a church. Her spirit was alive and vibrant in the hearts of those who had gathered, and I felt privileged to be a part of that sacred moment.

Saint Hildegard’s influence, as witnessed in that procession, was a reminder of the enduring power of faith and the ability of religious figures to inspire and unite generations of believers. It was a testament to the unbroken thread of devotion that binds the past, present, and future of German Catholics and, indeed, all those who find inspiration in the lives of saints.

Hildegard von Bingen Feast Day, September 17, 2014. Officiated by Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst

Here is a woman that people still worship more than 834 years later, and she is still felt like a living force. It is interesting how the Catholic tradition creates its ritual around a feast day, and I can see how the Middle Ages it still is. The people get spoken to by the priests and the head abbot, they make their offering, and then they get to walk with the relic through the village of Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany which is like a blessing at every door. The abbey had refreshments which consist of wine from the vineyards. White and yellow flags flew proudly for the Vatican Church as this was the first official feast day since she was canonized. It is a tradition worth more examination but one that I am proud to have witnessed.

Michael Conti’s Journal Entry from September 18, 2013

Video from feast day in Bingen, Germany

What is a Catholic feast day?

A Catholic feast day, also known as a liturgical feast or holy day, is a day on the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church that commemorates and celebrates a particular event or person of religious significance. These feast days are an essential part of Catholic worship and spirituality and are observed with special prayers, Masses, and sometimes specific customs or traditions.

There are several types of Catholic feast days, including:

Solemnities: These are the highest-ranking feast days in the liturgical calendar and often commemorate significant events in the life of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or important saints. Examples include Christmas (the birth of Jesus), Easter (the resurrection of Jesus), and the Feast of the Assumption (the bodily assumption of Mary into heaven).

Feasts: These are significant but not as high-ranking as solemnities. Feasts commemorate important events or saints in the Catholic tradition. Examples include the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Mary’s conception without original sin) and the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Memorials: Memorials are lesser feast days that honor individual saints, martyrs, or other figures in the Catholic tradition. Some memorials are obligatory, while others are optional. Examples include the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua and the Memorial of St. Teresa of Ávila.

Optional Memorials: These are feasts or memorials that are celebrated at the discretion of individual priests or parishes, and they may or may not be observed on a given day.

Seasonal Feast Days: Some feast days are tied to specific liturgical seasons, such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.

The liturgical calendar is structured in a way that ensures that important events in the life of Christ and the Church, as well as the lives of saints and martyrs, are remembered and celebrated throughout the year. The specific feast days and their significance can vary among different Catholic rites and regions, but they play a vital role in the worship and spiritual life of Catholics worldwide.

September 18, 2013